I've had some unhappy/expensive experiences with insurance and "extended warranties" in the past month or so . . . first with my roof (damaged by hail last summer . . . FYI, if a manufacturer no longer exists, it kind of voids the warranty), then with my Sears Kenmore washer & dryer (now six years old), and today with my home security system (the company shall remain nameless because it appears we've worked out a compromise). The system was completely overhauled a little over a year ago.
I'm still coming down off the seethe borne of "negotiations" (much harder to do when I'm trying to manage things on the road . . . through family, friends & house-sitter) so I'm not offering up the details. The matter is resolved, and the system fixed.
But this whole insurance and warranty racket does seem to me to be glorified extortion.
Is it just me or is the entire corporate world out to just screw us?
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Ditto. I've had some good luck with Best Buy, and some bad with a local plumbing company. I would suppose that it all boils down to how strong the guarantor is.
Wonder if you coulda gotta warranty on your past legal representation? Heck of a claim that one would be !!!
I could tell you an unsavvory tale about Best Buy and its "reward points" system as well.
As for my past legal representation, the lawyers runnig the great state of North Carolina have made it clear that the letter-of-the-law, and legal "professional codes of conduct", not-to-mention medical board "position statements" are just hot air . . . not something to rely upon or trust.
I expect I can fashion a fairly good claim out of that.
It's been my experience that most extended warranties are just a cut above "Useless", and are generally a waste of money.
It generally pays to do LOTS of research, and to consult authoritative people when considering purchases.
Even though he's a huge geek, and occasionally wrong, I rely on Clark Howard in most areas like this.
The only thing I've found them really cost-effective on is computers.
When it comes to extended warranties, they are useless and costly according to Consumer Report and to this writer as well.
When it comes to insuring things around the house for repairs go with a Home Warranty. Yes, they can be bought on older homes as well as newer homes at a very reasonable cost. I pay about$550 per year for mine and it covers things like A/C, hot water tank, stove, fridge, washer /dryer, plumbing repairs, electrical repairs etc. Last summer I had my A/C unit go south, cost to me $65 and the entire outside unit was replaced which would have cost $1500. This past week I got tired of the two toilets in my house of constantly flushing in the middle of the night, one goes and then a few minutes later the other one fills up as well. Plumber visit, $65, both are fixed and I can sleep once again. The gas stove is next since it has a habit of turning off while in use and gas doesn't stop escaping.
Mine is American Home Warranty and I don't mind giving them a plug. I got it when I bought the house from the seller and when time came to renew I almost threw the form in the trash and said , who will need it. The %1500 AC bill paid for three years. Mine also covers pool equipment and well pumps if you have need of such. Oh, it won't cover roof damage from wind or hail, that is what your home owners insurance is there for. In Texas it comes with a high price tag and a BIG deductible.
Someone else told me about that. I need to look into it.
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